Pet books we like...

Friday, September 16, 2011

Way overdue...

Can it have really been over 2 months since I've last posted? Yikes! I apologize for the lack of information over the past few weeks - life here is fine for the both of us and the pups, but we've been extraordinarily busy. Sadly, we haven't been on an extended vacation or taken jobs in Disney World (Jeff's dream!).

While Dora is being a complete sweetheart around us, she still tends to go a little wacko when it comes to strangers and other dogs (inside or out of the house).

Our trainer suggested we may have better luck going the route of using a clicker - we have been doing that for only a couple of days now, but we think we've already see improvement in her reactions. What about Gus? He is still his silly, cute self as always - now that is seems to be cooling down outside, he is spending plenty of lounging around in the grass, soaking up the sun.

Jeff is finally done with all of his surgeries (3 total in less than a year - neck, knee and shoulder!), along with all of the physical therapy that goes with it, which is a nice relief. It was getting a bit tough shuffling schedules around to make sure he had enough time for all of his appointments. Now that he is Mr. Bionic, hopefully we can make it through the rest of the year with no more surgeries!

Where's all the food? I have been pretty firm about setting enough time aside to continue our constant flow of new recipes each week, though maybe not as many as we used to. What I have been lacking is time and energy to snap pictures of said food, along with sitting down and siphoning all my thoughts about the meal into a coherent post. I don't know whether or not this means we're done with this encompassing project we started six years ago back in Phoenix - only time will tell I suppose, but I hope we can manage to settle into a slower groove.

39 comments:

Dearest Joe,I too have missed your posts terribly! I even tried to email you but the link didn't work. So glad you and Jeff are well! You have so many admirers but at the end of the day, it's what's best for you and Jeff that most matters. If you do decide the blog is too much, may I wish both you all the love and happiness and great food you have taken so much care to maintain...Phyllis

I hadn't even gotten an email that you had an update here yet and was just sitting down to eating pizza for dinner--which I always use your whole wheat dough recipe and it dawned on me that we haven't heard from you for a while, so I got on to see when you last posted while I eat and lo and behold you posted a new post!Good to hear you're still "out there". Blog when you can or get the inspiration--love your blog and recipes!

Love your posts and recipes and they are worth waiting for! Love your dogs too! I have a long hair black/ tan dapple dachshund myself that looks a little bit like Dora! Don't feel obligated to give us regular posts, just a few here and there are great!

I missed you too Joe!! I sure hope that is the end of the surgeries! Goodness... you guys have had a lot on your hands. I'm glad to read about the clicker training. I have two Maltese boys (brothers) who would prefer to be the only dogs in the world. Unfortunately we have two giant poodles next door who growl and bark every time we open the door and the pups are afraid of them, hence, afraid of nearly all dogs. I will look into the clicker.

I hope this isn't the end!! I say sabbatical? We'd be happy with even a post a month!!

Glad to know you are both well, though. Thanks for the update. The pups are adorable, as usual!!

Joe,It's so good to hear from you again...you've been missed! Well, you certainly have had a lot going on. Like Phyllis said, you do what's best for you... but I'd hate to see you end your blog. It's my favorite food blog.

I love the pictures of your dogs, and I hope Jeff is doing much better.

Oh Joe, I am SO HAPPY to see you again! I sent you an email about a month ago. You did answer me and I thank you for that. I was worried about you. I have enjoyed your blog since it's you started. I've made so many of your recipes for my family & friends. I have missed you! But, you have to do what's best for you & Jeff. I can imagine how much time your blog takes and I completely understand if it needs to end. I Thank You for sharing your love of cooking with me. I consider you a friend and wish you the best!

Another one chiming in to say that I'm thrilled to hear everyone is doing well and that I hope Jeff's rehab continues to go smoothly! LOL - I'm sure your 'cooler' weather is not the 29* we had in Duluth two mornings in a row... :P

I too have missed the reviews and compeletely understand how time intensive it is to try and maintain a foodie blog.

Meanwhile, I'll quitely hope you'll continue posting in some aspect, even if it's not as intensive as before!

I didn't realize Jeff was experiencing such a year of medical needs/care. Life as a caretaker is physically and emotionally challenged so I know it's been very hard for you, Joe. You give so much and put 200% in everything you do. Jeff must be feeling very loved and comforted but I'm sure you are exhausted! As for your blog, you have a gift of culinary artistry. Your recipes are scrumptious and your photos are always enticing and beautiful. But finally, your posts of family and life make it all real. You have opened your heart and home to anyone who visits (and stays)and have made us feel so welcomed. I have missed your regular posts, certainly, but will still be happy for an occasional post....especially your holiday creations! Your archives still keep me busy browsing. Healing energy coming your way (for you and Jeff).Cindy

Dear Joe and Jeff, thank you so much for checking in again. There was never a day I did not click on your site to see if you were there.I am sorry to hear that JEff still had another surgery. I agree with you,three is enough. Let's hope so.It is difficult to get your life back to normal. I know from experience,what I learned is to embrace the NEW NORMAL.I am looking forward to see you in print once in a while and treasure it even more. Love to you both, Rita

I'm happy to hear that Jeff is recovering. My husband had one surgery this year and that was tough enough - I can't imagine dealing with 3! Hopefully the hardest part is over now. I really hope you get back in the groove. I missed your blog so much - it's still my first stop when I'm looking for cooking inspiration.

Joe ~ much like the others I have clicked on you daily (you're on my favorites list)and when there has been no change I've been concerned. However, having seen a couple of your posts on the CLBB, I have continued to hope all was well w/you and Jeff (& of course the pups). I simply reiterate what all the others have commented and whatever becomes of this labor intensive blog is simply meant to be. Warmest to you and your family. Linda aka TitlePending

Joe, I have missed your culinary expertise and adventures. Just yesterday I went to Cooking Light to see if you had posted recently since I was sincerely worried about you. I totally understand not having time for your blog, but I do hope you'll continue to post when time permits because so many look forward to reading your blog. Please know that so many of your virtual friends send good thoughts to you & Jeff & your babies.

I don't comment often on your blog but I have missed it terribly! I know how "life can get in the way" of blogging and it certainly hard to get back into the swing of things with pics and all. Hope you do post again though soon! You always have great recipes and are very missed!!!!

So glad to hear you are both okay! I have missed your posts and hope that you don't end the blog...I can't imagine all the time it must take to take the pictures of all your food and write up a post etc., but know that it is much appreciated! Thank you for all of your posts, and I will (hopefully?) look forward to more in the future :-)

It is so good to hear from you!!! Sounds like life has been pretty crazy for all of you. I'm at a similar place with my blog and I'm starting to think that infrequent postings are better than nothing at all - but make it on your time. IF you have time to snap a photo and write a post, do it, but don't make it an issue that adds discomfort to real life, you know? Whatever you decide, I'm glad to know you and I hope life is good to both you and Jeff, and the doggles.

Glad to hear you are both well! I certainly have missed your posts, but I so know what you are talking about. I have been absent on my blog for over a year. The relaxing and enjoying piece that I love of cooking and baking started to be pushed out of the way by photography, paying attention to every ingredient I tweaked, writing about it and choosing photos. I have yet to find the balance, but I certainly hope you do as I love your blog!

Joe, As you can see from all the posts, you sure have been missed. Some have said it perfectly. Do what feels right. You have to do what feels right. Even though you have quite a following, I think everyone would understand if you cannot keep it going. You have been very forthcoming, and I know everyone wishes you both the best. It would be nice to see a post every once in a while letting everyone know how it is going. Worst case, I think we would all be very lucky to just have ongoing access to six years of your fabulous recipes and pictures. I did not find your blog until about two years ago, so I still enjoy perusing all six years worth. You know that saying, "Life is what happens while you were making other plans." Isn't that the truth! Regardless of what the future holds, thanks so much for such a great go to cooking resource online. Even if you cannot continue to add recipes, your site will remain a winner, and I wish you and Jeff all the best that life has to offer.best regards,Victoria F.

Glad to see you back! I have been checking every couple of days to see if you posted. Hopefully you will still find some time to post occationally to keep us updated on your life. I will miss the almost daily posts with new and very, very good recipes...I use your blog as a go to source when I am looking for something to make. Do whatever you have to do just know you will be missed!

I have never left a comment on your blog before, though I have been diligently reading it for at least a couple of years. I was almost afraid to read your post today, as I've been checking at least once a week for the past two months. I think there are many of us "lurkers" who admire your blog work, but more importantly, care about you and your welfare. When a blog has been part of your life for so long, the people become real, even though you have never met them. I was terribly afraid something awful had happened to you.

Please don't quit Joe. Your photos don't have to be works of art, your food doesn't always have to be a masterpiece. But whatever you decide to do, just know that you have made an impact on many of us in this world. And I thank you from Lincoln, Nebraska!

I have always loved your posts and recipes but totally understand how life can get in the way of posting as frequently as you had been. Would still love to see you a couple of times a week if time and your heart allow you to. Good luck to Jeff and you whichever decision you come to. :)

Joe, I love your blog, besides having amazing recipes, your pictures and descriptions of the food add so much to each recipe. Yours is the only blog that I check, plus your posts on CLBB. I would never hesitate to try something you have posted.

Once, I even had a question for you on one of your recipes, sent you an email and your responded with suggestions very promptly.

Several of your recipes have become family favs.

I hope you find time in your busy life to continue with this blog, if not, thank you for so many wonderful recipes.

I am glad you're all ok, it is always worrying when people stop posting for a while, though I did manage to find you on twitter and your occasional tweets were reassuring!

I really hope you continue to blog as your blog has been a favourite of mine for a good few years now, but if it is just turning into an extra stress then maybe you do need a break from it for a while. I very much hope you continue though :)

First I read about Jeff surgeries. I wish him well. Take your time, I find that blogging is taking a lot of my time and don't do it as much as I would like but I have a family to take care and it is the top priority in my life. I still love blogging but when I can. Even if you update once a month that would be nice. If you don't have time to take pics of the food you can always tell us when ones were your fav during the month. And pics of the dogs are always welcome. Take care!

Glad you're back. My niece got a 6 mo puppy who is a "wild child" too. She got a bark collar with a remote control that gives little shocks. I thought it was cruel, but after seeing the changes in the puppy after a couple of weeks, I think the process was worth it. She no longer barks at everything & all my niece has to do is hold up the remote & she doesn't jump on people or go nuts. It's amazing, though probably hard to institute for those with a soft heart.

Joe--You've given so much to this blog and it is understandable that you need time to focus on other areas of your life. I am hopeful you will be able to post occasionally but I also know that feeling when you have reached the natural end of something, and maybe that is where you are right now. I will just have to reread and find the posts I missed! See you around. --Jessica (CLBB)

Joe, we miss you and have gotten quite accustomed to your new and interesting blogs every few days. Now it seems that we must "only imagine" what is going on.....have you gotten bored with the blogging world? Did you get a job? Are you okay health wise? Is Jeff okay? You have many cyber-friends who are wondering what is going on with you. Miss you.